Mr Birchfield left abruptly after losing the vote for the chairmanship at an extraordinary council meeting on March 28 — his first day back after four months’ leave of absence, giving rise to speculation he might not return at all.
However, he told The Greymouth Star resignation was not on his mind, although in the future it would depend on whether he felt up to the job.
Opening the monthly council meeting, new chairman Peter Haddock acknowledged the workload Mr Birchfield had shouldered previously as chairman, referencing the burden he had experienced himself in his four months as acting chairman.
At the meeting, Mr Birchfield said simply the new chairman had a job on his hands.
"He’s going to struggle."
The atmosphere around the table was muted and there was no small talk as Mr Birchfield arrived. He left immediately after the meeting ended.
There had been no healing in the rift with his fellow councillors since his removal and the former chairman said he intended to play it straight from now on.
"There’s been no dialogue. I’m my own person. I’ll come in and do what I think is best for the community. I will be telling it the way I see it. There’s no restriction on me now — I can tell things the way they are."
Mr Birchfield said his removal from the strictures of leading the council would allow him to more directly advocate for the community.
"I’m only interested in the public part of the meeting. I will be asking any questions I think need asking, so watch out."
He suggested the council keep any in-committee matters to the end of the meeting. He did that in the interest of transparency and ensuring the public remained engaged.
He always "felt awkward" having to tell people observing the meeting to go.
"There’s too much of it done in-committee as far as I’m concerned."
By Brendon McMahon
